The LGBT+ community is reeling from the tragic news that Janne Puhakka, Finland’s first openly gay ice hockey player, was killed by his partner, Rolf Nordmo, who has confessed to the crime.
Puhakka, 29, died in the home he previously shared with Nordmo, 66, in Henttaa, Espoo, on Sunday evening, as reported by Finnish newspaper YLE.
Nordmo, a Norwegian veterinarian, told police that he killed Puhakka using a hunting shotgun. The couple had ended their relationship several weeks ago, and Puhakka had moved out of their shared home. He returned to the property for ‘practical matters’ when the tragic incident occurred.
Matti Högman, the lead police investigator, told YLE that violence was used “more than necessary” in the killing. Nordmo, who held a permit to possess a gun in Norway, remains in police custody. The case is being treated as a murder, as previously reported by Ilta-Sanomat.
Puhakka and Nordmo met in 2014 and quickly fell in love after chatting online for just one week. Their relationship was marked by a significant age gap, with Puhakka being 37 years younger than Nordmo. Despite the challenges, the couple had been open about their love story, sharing their journey with the media, including an interview with the Mirror in 2022.
Sanna Marin, the former Finnish Prime Minister, was among those who paid tribute to Puhakka, sharing an image of the former ice hockey player on Instagram with a broken heart emoji.
Detective Inspector Matti Högman told news agency STT that there was “reason to believe the suspect’s actions were deliberate and cruel” and that the “suspect and victim knew each other.”
Puhakka made history as the first Finnish ice hockey player to openly discuss his homosexuality. At the start of his career, he hid his sexual identity from friends for fear of being stigmatised. He played for Espoo Blues and Espoo United before ending his career at the end of the 2017–2018 season.
In his interview with the Mirror, Puhakka shared that he kept his relationship with Nordmo private due to fears of perception in the “ultra-masculine sporting world.” The couple often had to hide their relationship, with Nordmo sometimes posing as Puhakka’s uncle in public.
Rolf Nordmo, who came out as gay at 40, was previously married to a woman for 17 years and has three children. He initially received mixed reactions when he revealed their relationship to his children in February 2015.
Puhakka’s impact extended beyond the ice rink. After his hockey career, he studied international business at Haaga-Helia and worked in sportswear sales at an Amer Sports store. He hoped that by openly discussing his sexual orientation, he would pave the way for other players in the future.
“When my sport career came to an end, I had to think about what I would like to do next. Besides sports, fashion and clothing have always interested me,” Puhakka told Frenn. “So it was quite natural to combine these two elements. Sportswear business is a perfect place for me to use my past experience and develop my future career goals.”
The loss of Puhakka has sparked conversations about domestic violence within queer relationships, an often overlooked issue. His death serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBT+ community, even in progressive countries like Finland.
Tributes continue to pour in from around the world, remembering Puhakka not just as a talented athlete, but also as a brave individual who used his platform to increase LGBT+ visibility and inspire others to live authentically.
“Janne’s courage to come out publicly was a game-changer for many closeted athletes and LGBT+ individuals,” said a spokesperson from a prominent Finnish LGBT+ rights organisation. “His legacy will live on, and we will continue to fight for a safer world for our community.”
Last Updated on Oct 16, 2024
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